Over 3300 people attended the first annual festival Friday and Saturday in Spruce Pine. Click on photo for additional photos. Brad Maffett, Pit Master of “Hot for Teacher”, a competition BBQ team from Royston, GA., took home the Grand Champion trophy and prize at the Spruce Pine BBQ Championship & Bluegrass Festival July 20-21. He received the most total points and also won 1st place in the Pork Butts category. The award is presented by Seth Watari, Event Representative, Southern Barbeque Network. Brad is accompanied by his daughter. This inaugural event in downtown Spruce Pine saw the largest crowds ever in town, including a capacity crowd to enjoy the headline act, Balsam Range, winner of the IBMA Song of the Year in 2011 for "Trains I Missed" on Friday evening. The event was presented by Ingles and hosted by Spruce Pine Main Street and the Rotary Club of Spruce Pine and was sanctioned by the Southern BBQ Network.